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Last night we got, not only a new iPad Mini, but also a refreshed fourth generation iPad, both packing UK-compatible 4G. The problem is that it’ll only work on EE’s 1800MHz network, even after the rest of the UK networks launch their 4G networks, just like the iPhone 5.
The problem is that the new iPads are limited to certain LTE bands — 1, 3, 5, 13, 25 to be exact — which means the likes of O2 and Vodafone who’ll be competing for the 800MHz and 2.6GHz frequency bands will be fat out of luck.
So, yes, we finally have two 4G-packing iPads, but they’re limited to EE’s 1800MHz network, which means some serious price plans. Well, either that or sticking to 3G. 4G on a tablet though; now that’s cooking with gas. [Apple]
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What about 3′s 4g network? What band are they working on?
They have an allocation of the same 1800MHz band, but EE’s not going to clear it for quite some time. It’s highly likely that they’ll get 800MHz and 2.6GHz up before Three can get any 4G out on 1800MHz.
It’s not about tech limitation but greediness. If Samsung can fit all the UK LTE bands in NOTE 2 LTE version, why not? Possible reason? Just another way to make the product obsolete and force to buy future version with all bands enabled.
I wonder if band can be changed through firmware upgrade – that’ll be cool to customize the band.
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This is expected from Apple. Apple is so slow with their upgrade strategy that iphone can’t even grow both horiz and vertical. Instead, first increasing the height with iPhone 5 and then possibly width in future version.